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Langton Matravers, a charming village consisting of old stone cottages and houses in the Isle of Purbeck is 4 miles S.E. of Corfe Castle and 2 miles inland from Swanage. In 1851 it comprised of 3,400 acres with various soils and overlying chalk. The oldest occupation in Langton Matravers was farming however the quarrying and cutting of the local limestone has been important since Roman times. The Parish Church is dedicated to St. George and is at least the third, and possibly the fourth building on the site. Hutchins in 'The History of Dorset' describes the church as "an ancient building, consisting of a chancel, body, and two aisles, whereof the north is a small one belonging to Wilkswood farm, and was probably a chapel made use of by that priory: the south aisle is of equal length with the body of the church." On the west wall the remains of a chapel built about 1290 can be seen and the embattled tower was added in the 15th century. |
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In 1828 the church, with the exception of the tower, was taken down and rebuilt with nave, chancel and south porch. However in 1876 this larger church became unsafe because of smuggling activities in the roof and was demolished and rebuilt. The rebuilt nave and chancel are of Purbeck Stone decorated with Portland Stone, Purbeck 'Marble' and Studland Sandstone. Housed in the old tower are a trinity of bells, the tenor being the original of about 1420. The oldest occupation was farming, but quarrying and cutting of the local limestone has been important since Roman times with mines sunk to deal with the enormous demand for the local stone during the late 17th Century, especially after the Great Fire of London in 1666. The population of Langton Matravers in 1891 was 773. In 1991 it was 910. |
The Online Parish Clerk for Langton Matravers is Sue Mills
Any enquiries please contact by email at the following:
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I am an unpaid volunteer willing to assist
others with their genealogical research
and should in no way be confused with the County Council
appointed Parish Clerk.
I live in Western Australia.
FOR RECORDS FROM
SWANAGE - LANGTON MATRAVERS - WORTH MATRAVERS - STUDLAND -
CHURCH KNOWLE
AND MY PERSONAL RESEARCH
17th Century Records :
Parish Registers :
Baptisms - 1670 - 1880
Transcription by Michael Norman and Sue Mills
Marriages - 1670 - 1841
Transcription by Michael Norman
Burials - 1670 - 1841
Transcription by Michael Norman
List of Rectors of St George's Church - c1200 - 1991
Census Returns :
Full transcription of 1803 list of names of inhabitants in preparation for a French Invasion -
Full transcription of 1841 census -
Full transcription of 1851 census -
Full transcription of 1861 census -
1881 census. - Free transcription or pay per image http://www.ancestry.co.uk/
1901 census. - Free transcription or pay per image http://www.ancestry.co.uk/
Wills :
Index of PCC Wills from the period 1546-1854 on DocumentsOnline
Abstracts of PCC Wills - Page 1
Calendar of Wills and Administrations -
Archdeaconry and Consistory Court - 1567 - 1855
Directories :
- Hunts - 1851
- Post Office Directory - 1867
- Kelly's Directory - 1895
Kelly's Directory - 1915
Photos :
Langton Matravers of Olde - 1 **UPDATED**
Link - Index of Names on Monuments in
Langton's Old Anglican Cemetery
This and That :
Purbeck Memories - Recollections **NEW**
Purbeck Biographies **NEW**
Suggested Reading :
- Purbeck - Books, Newspapers & Documents
Researchers :
- List of those researching in Purbeck
To be added to the list contact
Links :
- Dorchester Gaol Registers - 1782 - 1853
- 19th Century Tithe Map Apportionments Transcriptions
- Langton Matravers Local History and Preservation Society
- St George's Church Parish Priest - Rev. Judith Malins
- List of Purbeck Stone Mines - 1896
- List of Dorset Mines - 1908
- Purbeck Stone
- Roll of Honour - World War 1 & 2
- Dorset Life Magazine article on Langton Matravers
by Rodney Legg
- The Purbeck Mineral & Mining Museum
History of Ball Clay - Clayworkers
- Quarrymans' Ways
Join us on Facebook - Purbeck Past
A place to share Purbeck research
Other OPC Parishes - Worth Matravers - Swanage - Studland - Church Knowle
Visit my personal web page with my research interests and more Purbeck resources
Visit my photo restoration service - Mend My Memories
Old photos digitally restored